MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto was not in the team's starting lineup Saturday.

Votto is dealing with a quad injury, and the club hasn't decided whether he'll require a stint on the disabled list. He did not travel to Philadelphia with the team Friday. Team officials were slated to meet following Friday's game in order to determine Votto's status. An update on his condition is expected to come soon.

Planning on starting Josmil Pinto, Juan Francisco, Brandon Phillips, Martin Prado, Jonathan Villar or Chris Colabello in Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25)? You might want to think twice about that.

I have them all as "sits" in the latest Start and Sit Hitters. Find out why by clicking here.

What do Yan Gomes, Mark Teixeira, Yangervis Solarte, Pablo Sandoval, Asdrubal Cabrera and Seth Smith have in common? They're all "starts" in Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25).

Of course, whether or not you actually start them depends on what else you have. Find all the context you need in the latest Start and Sit Hitters.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun began a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake Friday. He finished 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored while leading off and playing right field in his first game action since suffering an ankle injury. He is expected to return from the disabled list on Tuesday.

Twins outfielder and April phenom Chris Colabello is out of the lineup for the Friday game against the visiting Mariners.

Colabello will get more time off if he continues to hit like he has since May 9. He is hitless in 18 at-bats since then and hasn't had a multi-hit game since April 23. His average has dropped from .346 to .238 during that stretch.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has avoided a serious injury, as an MRI taken Friday reveals no structural damage to his left knee.

Votto was diagnosed with a left quad strain, and the Cincinnati Enquirer reports he will not require a trip to the disabled list at this point. He is out of the lineup for Friday's game, though the Enquirer reports a trip to the disabled list is still possible. Front office, training staff and coaches will meet to discuss Votto's rehab timeline following Friday's game. 

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is likely headed to the disabled list with a left knee injury, according to FoxSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal. It's the same knee that required surgery in 2012.

The report added that Votto did not make the trip with the team to Philadelphia and that he's scheduled for an MRI.

Votto has taken a step back this year after a disappointing 2013 in which he eschewed an aggressive approach at the plate for greater patience and wound up with just 73 RBI. He has just six home runs and 12 RBI in 2014 and his average has fallen to an uncharacteristic .257. He scored 101 runs last season to just 19 so far this year.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun will begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake Friday, as he continues to work his way back from a sprained ankle.

According to the Orange County Register, Kalhoun expects to be back from the disabled list Tuesday, assuming he avoids a setback while on rehab. Kalhoun was hitting .250/.297/.500 in 60 at-bats before suffering the injury in mid-April. 

The three-hit game achieved by Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on Wednesday night was merely an extension of a hot streak that began on May 7.

Cabrera, whose average bottomed out at .205 the day before, has 14 hits in his last 30 at-bats for a .480 stretch. He has three doubles, two home runs and 10 runs scored in the last seven games.

The tear has motivated Terry Francona to elevate Cabrera into the fifth spot in the lineup. His .259 batting average is at its highest point since the second game of the season.

Indians third baseman Carlos Santana went 1 for 4 with two walks, one home run, two RBI and three runs in his team's 15-4 win over the Blue Jays Wednesday.

Santana knocked his two-run home run in the fifth inning to put his team up 4-0, but he wasn't a major part of the fireworks in the last three innings, in which the Indians put together 11 runs. He has hit .154/.324/.301 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 136 at-bats.